Water Heater Permit Requirements in Miami-Dade County
Installing or replacing a water heater in Miami-Dade County generally needs a permit. The county publishes one narrow exemption — replacing an electric tank heater of 4,500 watts or less and up to 50 gallons, at no higher wattage than the old one, done by a licensed plumbing contractor. Gas, tankless, larger, higher-wattage, new, and relocated heaters aren't covered by it.
Verified against official sources · Last verified: September 19, 2026
Do You Need a Permit?
Conditional — More Information NeededA permit is generally required to install or replace a water heater in Miami-Dade County. The county publishes one narrow exemption: replacing an ELECTRIC tank water heater of 4,500 watts or less and up to 50 gallons, where the new heater's wattage is not higher than the one it replaces, when the work is done by a licensed plumbing contractor. Gas water heaters (the county's gas-appliance exemption specifically excludes water heaters), tankless units, larger or higher-wattage heaters, new installations, and relocations are not covered by that exemption. Florida's HB 803 small-project exemption does not apply to plumbing work.
See what applies to your exact property.
Check Your PropertyPermit Type
Plumbing Permit
Documents You May Need
- Building Permit Application (yellow form), with the plumbing category selected — the county's plumbing FAQ lists Plumbing 01 plus Electrical 01 for an electric water heater, and Plumbing 01 plus Plumbing 02 (natural gas) or LPGX 01 (LP gas) for a gas water heater
- Plumbing Fee Sheet
- Plans — not required for an exact replacement; required for a gas-to-electric (or electric-to-gas) change and for a brand-new installation
- Approved enclosure, if the water heater will be located outside the residence
- Owner-Builder form, if applying as an owner-builder
Conditions That Can Affect This Result
This isn't a flat rule — the outcome can depend on details specific to your project. Use the checker to get a result based on your own answers, or see the verified scenarios below.
- If this is a new water heater installation: a permit is required.
- If the water heater is being relocated: a permit is required.
- If you selected a tankless water heater: a permit is required.
- If you selected a gas water heater: a permit is required.
- If the new water heater isn't the same type and fuel as the one being replaced: a permit is required.
- If the tank is larger than 50 gallons: a permit is required.
- If the water heater is rated above 4,500 watts: a permit is required.
- If the new water heater's wattage is higher than the one it replaces: a permit is required.
- If a licensed plumbing contractor won't be doing the work: a permit is required.
- If you weren't sure whether this is a replacement, a new installation, or a relocation: more information is needed to determine this.
- If you weren't sure whether the water heater has a tank: more information is needed to determine this.
- If you weren't sure whether the water heater is electric or gas: more information is needed to determine this.
- If you weren't sure whether the new water heater matches the old one: more information is needed to determine this.
- If you weren't sure of the tank size: more information is needed to determine this.
- If you weren't sure of the water heater's wattage: more information is needed to determine this.
- If you weren't sure whether the new wattage is higher than the old one: more information is needed to determine this.
- If you weren't sure whether a licensed plumbing contractor will do the work: more information is needed to determine this.
What to Do Next
- 1Confirm which scenario applies to your project with the building department.
- 2Once confirmed, gather the required documents for that scenario.
- 3Contact the building department for how to submit your application.
Ready to continue?
Apply for the permit
Open the official government application portal.
Questions about your permit?
Call the Building Department.
Common Questions
Is there any water heater replacement that doesn't need a permit in Miami-Dade County?
One narrow case: replacing an electric tank water heater of 4,500 watts or less and up to 50 gallons, with no increase in wattage, done by a licensed plumbing contractor.
Does the exemption cover gas or tankless water heaters?
No. Gas water heaters (the county's gas-appliance exemption specifically excludes them), tankless units, larger or higher-wattage heaters, new installations, and relocations all fall outside it.
Does Florida's HB 803 small-project exemption apply to water heaters?
No — the county's guidance states the HB 803 exemption does not apply to plumbing work.
Permit Fees
Fees vary by project scope. See the official Miami-Dade County plumbing permit page and Plumbing Fee Sheet.
Review Time
Varies by project and plan-review workload
Building Department
Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) — Building & Permits
Phone: 305-375-2877Email: RERInfo@miamidade.govAddress: 111 NW 1st Street, 11th Floor, Miami, FL 33128
Official Sources
Miami-Dade County — Plumbing Permits
miamidade.gov · Official page · verified September 19, 2026
Miami-Dade County — Plumbing Homeowners FAQ (water heaters)
miamidade.gov · Official PDF · verified September 19, 2026
Miami-Dade County — Permit Exemptions
miamidade.gov · Official page · verified September 19, 2026
Source last checked: September 17, 2026
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PermitAhead provides informational guidance based on official government sources. Final permitting decisions are made by the applicable local authority.